Tips for Engaging in Positive Parenting

We all want what’s best for our kids. One of those things is to have them grow into confident adults. Parenting is one of the hardest jobs out there, but engaging in positive parenting is easier than it sounds, plus you and your kids will reap the rewards of your efforts.

Positive parenting encourages positive behavior. Here are some ways you can help your child thrive with this parenting technique.

Don’t do everything for them

When it comes to problem-solving, let your child try on their own first. If you’re always stepping in and fixing everything before they can ever try, they will never learn to do things for themselves. Remember, you can’t be there for them every second of their life. Instead, listen and encourage them as they arrive at their own solutions. By letting them figure out the problem themselves, they will develop critical skills that will make them better adults in the future.

Let them discover disappointment

We never like seeing our kids unhappy, but if we give them everything they ever ask for or always say “yes” to their requests, we’re creating more unhappy grownups. Learning how to deal with disappointment is important because your kids will not get every job or promotion they seek as adults. Let them develop this skill now so they grow up with poise.

Make your routine count

Kids need structure and routine. It lets them know what to expect and makes them feel secure. Need help creating one? Use the S’moresUp app!

Set a solid example

Kids follow what they see every day and guess what? That’s YOU! If you want them to have good manners, be a shining example of that. If you want them to read more, pull out a book instead of flipping on the TV. Model good behavior and it will be copied!

Be consistent with consequences

Even the best kids break the rules. Set clear rules and expectations together as a family. When these rules are broken, always follow through, or your kid will think they can get away with anything.

Give them the freedom of choice

Kids need to learn how to make decisions for themselves. While you can’t allow them to watch that scary movie, you can allow them to have choices of positive items in your safe living space. Let them choose from agreeable options for the family movie night or what they want for dinner. Giving them some control is a good thing!

Hear them out

As your children get older and more mature, they will be able to understand your actions. They will also begin to question them and develop their own opinions. Your word is not final, your kid’s actions are. Deleting their social media apps that you believe are dangerous – but your kid doesn’t – might only lead to more ways for them to disobey you.

If your child disagrees with your ideas and decisions, have an open-minded discussion where you both try to understand each others’ views. In the end, you both have to be on the same page to make it all work out. Explain to them why the app might be dangerous, but hear them out, too. You might find that their reason is valid. In that case, reach a compromise. This shows your child that you are ready to listen to them with an open mind. It teaches them to be acceptant of other’s opinions.

Give them their privacy

One of the things many parents struggle with is knowing when to back off and give their growing kids some space. As they become more mature, let them figure things out themselves.

That includes their privacy. Avoid reading their texts, and in turn, make it clear they can’t read yours too. Constantly monitoring your kids will not only lead to their frustration and exasperation, but it also shows them how little faith you have in them. However, you don’t have to turn a complete blind eye.

Instead of hovering, make it clear that you trust them and what they are doing, and back off. Knowing that will make them hesitate before doing something wrong, understanding that their impulsive actions will result in your disappointment.

In Conclusion…

Choosing the path of positive parenting isn’t always easy, but as things settle in, your children will benefit and look forward to a better future. This technique helps them develop the skills they need to handle anything that adulthood will throw at them, allowing them to adjust with ease to find their own sense of balance.